Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

भार्गवाङ्गिरसौ देवौ दण्डहस्तौ रविप्रभौ रथचक्रे तु रक्षेते रुद्रस्य प्रियकाङ्क्षिणौ //

Transliteration

bhārgavāṅgirasau devau daṇḍahastau raviprabhau rathacakre tu rakṣete rudrasya priyakāṅkṣiṇau //

Translation

The two deities Bhārgava and Āṅgirasa—staff in hand and radiant like the sun—stand guard over the chariot-wheel, desirous of what is dear to Rudra (Śiva).

Word by Word

• bhārgava-āṅgirasau: Bhārgava and Āṅgirasa (two divine figures)

• devau: the two gods/deities

• daṇḍa-hastau: holding staffs in their hands

• ravi-prabhau: sun-bright, having the splendour of the sun

• ratha-cakre: at/on the chariot wheel

• tu: indeed/particularly

• rakṣete: they protect/guard

• rudrasya: of Rudra (Śiva)

• priya-kāṅkṣiṇau: desiring what is beloved/pleasing (to him), seeking his favour

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a Vastu/Pratima-lakshana instructional section)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhargava
• Angirasa
• Rudra
• Ratha
• Chakra

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Ritual Protection
• Temple Architecture
• Guardian Deities

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to an applied ritual/architectural context, naming protective deities assigned to guard a specific component (the ratha-cakra).

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It supports the dharma of patrons—kings and householders—who commission temples, icons, or ritual chariots: protection (rakṣā) is ensured by correctly assigning guardian deities as taught in the Purana.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies that Bhārgava and Āṅgirasa function as rakṣaka-devatās for the ratha-cakra (chariot wheel), implying a prescribed protective placement in Vastu/ritual design, aligned with Rudra-oriented sanctity.